Miracle (1975)

Los Angelesbased artist Ed Ruschas 1975 short film Miracle centers on a day in the life of an auto mechanic played by artist Jim Ganzer who has a transformative experience while working on the engine of a Ford Mustang Actress and singer Michelle Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas plays his love interest Since the 1960s Ruscha has received extensive critical acclaim for his paintings photographs drawings and books exploring the commercial vernacular of Los Angelesits graphic signage architecture and even parking lots In effect his work subtly comments on Americas cultural and socioeconomic evolution in the twentieth and twentyfirst centuries Miracle is one of only two films made by the artist in the 1970s Contemporary Art Museum St Louis by Kelly Shindler Associate Curator